Three Beam Executives to Resign Ahead of Suntory Takeover

Beam's CFO and Two Other Executives Have Announced Their Intention to Resign

Beam Inc.,
which expects to be acquired soon by Suntory Holdings Ltd., disclosed Friday its chief financial officer and two other executives have announced their intention to resign.

The executive departures, announced in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, comes after the spirits maker said it is "on track" to complete its takeover by Suntory during the week of April 28. Family-owned Japanese drinks maker Suntory in early January agreed to buy Beam for about $13.6 billion in cash.

On Friday, Beam said Chief Financial Officer
Robert Probst
and corporate controller Leo Mierzwicki each made personal decisions to resign and pursue other professional opportunities.

For both, their decisions were linked to the changes of their roles as a result of the takeover, Beam said. Mr. Probst will resign effective May 31, while Mr. Mierzwicki will resign effective July 10.

Beam's North America President
William Newlands
also decided to resign, effective May 31. Mr. Newlands has entered into a consulting agreement with the company to provide strategic guidance for the North American unit about three days a week.